Founded in 1990, FOI Oklahoma is a statewide organization actively supporting those organizations and individuals working to open records or provide access to meetings illegally closed.
FOI Oklahoma doesn't just believe in the right of access: it acts to help guarantee that right. Visit us at www.foioklahoma.org.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, or its board of directors.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Oklahoma Sunshine ’13: Fighting for an Open Government

As Gov. Mary Fallin claims privileges for secrecy, two states provide opposing models for public access to a governor's emails and other correspondence.

In Louisiana, the Jindal administration's broad interpretation of "deliberative process" has spread outside his office to be used as a justification for withholding records on controversial and politically sensitive topics. In contrast, Florida's governor created an online system that releases email by him and his top staff members.

At FOI Oklahoma's Sunshine Week Conference on March 9, experts from Louisiana and Florida will discuss how these differing approaches to transparency affect what the public knows about the formulation of state policies.

Oklahomans have limited options when officials wrongly deny access to a record or meeting. But other states in 2012 gave the public someone to go to for help.

Maine's first public access ombudsman and the chairman of Iowa's new Public Information Board will explain their roles in making government accessible and give advice on creating an appeals process in Oklahoma that doesn't require going to court.

The conference will be at OU's Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication,
395 W. Lindsey St., Norman.

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When individuals or organizations in Oklahoma believe that their access rights are threatened, they turn to FOI Oklahoma for help. We contact those who are limiting freedom of access to encourage them to comply with the laws.
We also conduct workshops for educators, students, government officials, attorneys and the general public. Our Web site provides a number of resources, including a model letter for records requests and primers on Oklahoma's open meeting and records laws.
Our services and resources are made possible by paid memberships and donations. Interested in joining? Visit www.foioklahoma.org.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, or its board of directors. Differing interpretations of open government law and policy are welcome.